Air Fryer Chocolate Cake

You will also love my Air Fryer Vanilla Cake!

This Air Fryer Chocolate Cake is my latest obsession – a beautifully soft, rich, from-scratch chocolate cake that’s super-easy and foolproof.

My recipe makes an eight inch full-sized cake that can be sliced in half and filled with chocolate buttercream or any frosting! Perfect for birthdays and celebrations or simply as a treat with a cup of coffee 🙂

Here’s What You’ll Need

This air fryer chocolate cake recipe uses everyday pantry ingredients and is super-easy to make! You will need a cake pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer. I have the Cosori 5.8Qt which can fit this deep 8 inch cake pan.

• Flour: all-purpose / plain flour
• Baking powder (check it is fresh!)
• Sugar: light brown sugar
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Softened unsalted butter or margarine (such as Stork)
• Medium eggs
• Semi skimmed milk
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

USEFUL TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

• Electric hand mixer or a stand mixer
• Digital scales – I use a scale for all my bakes
• Measuring spoons for the raising agents
• Cake release spray
• Cake lifter – for transferring cakes safely
• A cake leveler for slicing the cake into even layers

How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Cake

Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C).  Mist an 8-inch cake pan with cake release and line the bottom with baking paper or a reusable liner.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer). Add the butter, eggs, milk, lemon juice and vanilla.

1. Start beating on a low speed setting to combine the ingredients then increase the speed to maximum. Stop the mixer and use a spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.

1. Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan and level. Cover the top of the pan with aluminum foil, securing it tightly to the sides of the tin. Poke a few holes on the foil to allow for air circulation.

Bake in the Air Fryer

1. Place the cake pan into the air fryer basket. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes – the cake will be mostly baked through but still slightly damp in the middle.
2. Carefully remove the foil cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the cake feels springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Depending on the brand of your air fryer you might need to adjust the cooking time by a few minutes.
3. Leave the cake in the pan for five minutes then invert onto a wire rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before adding any frosting.

Fill and Frost Your Chocolate Cake

1. Slice your air fryer chocolate sponge in half and fill with whatever frosting takes your fancy! I love using my rich chocolate buttercream which will transform this chocolate sponge into the chocolate cake of your dreams!

1. Use a cake leveler to split the cake in half. Spoon frosting over the bottom layer and level. Top with the second layer and cover the entire cake in buttercream.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• This chocolate sponge cake can be frozen whole or in slices. Wrap well with plastic wrap and place in a suitable container. Thaw overnight in the fridge then serve.
• You don’t have to use a special setting on your air fryer. Simply set the temperature and cooking time on manual.
• Make the sponge up to a day ahead. Leave it to cool then wrap with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
• The cake will stay lovely and moist for a few days. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight in a covered cake container.
• If you have used fresh cream as the filling it will need to be consumed straight away.
• Can I bake it in the oven? Yes! Bake (uncovered!) in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Air Fryer Baking FTW!

I am always asking myself “can I cook this in an Air Fryer?” and the answer is usually yes! Check out my Air Fryer recipe collection for both sweet and savory recipes. For lovers of chocolate, these Air Fryer Brownies are a must bake!

You might also like my Air Fryer Chocolate Cupcakes.